What term describes the process of nerve impulses jumping between nodes of Ranvier?

The process of nerve impulses jumping between nodes of Ranvier is known as saltatory conduction. This term specifically refers to the method by which myelinated axons conduct electrical impulses more rapidly than unmyelinated axons. In myelinated axons, the presence of myelin sheath insulates the nerve fiber, preventing ion exchange along the entire length of the axon. Instead, the action potentials are generated only at specialized gaps called nodes of Ranvier, where the axon membrane is exposed. This results in a much faster transmission of impulses, as the electrical signal essentially "jumps" from one node to the next, rather than traveling continuously along the entire fiber.

Continuous conduction, in contrast, describes a slower process that occurs in unmyelinated axons where the action potential travels along the entire length of the membrane without any gaps. Action potential refers to the rapid rise and fall in membrane potential that occurs when a neuron sends information down an axon. Signal transduction is a broader term that describes the process by which a signal is transmitted through the cellular machinery, but it does not specifically refer to the conduction of nerve impulses. Therefore, saltatory conduction accurately characterizes the jumping of impulses between nodes of Ranvier, highlighting its